REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN24-00489) to Construct a One-Story 11,100 Square-Foot Prefabricated Steel Building with Associated Site Improvements Located at 2290 De La Cruz Boulevard.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00352
Location: 2290 De La Cruz Boulevard, an 85,718 square-foot project site located on the northeast corner of De La Cruz Boulevard and Mathew Avenue, approximately 955 feet north of Reed Street
Applicant: Crash Champions and Eric Shephard Architects, Inc.
Owner(s): DP Ventures
Request: Architectural Review to construct a one-story 11,100 square-foot prefabricated steel building and associated site improvements.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The project site is surrounded by heavy industrial uses with light industrial uses across De La Cruz Boulevard as shown in Attachment 1 (Vicinity Map).
• The project site was originally developed with a one-story industrial building in 1967 for warehouse and industrial use, which is currently being used for vehicle repair. The site also has uncovered vehicle and commercial bus storage at the rear of the property where the proposed building will be located.
• The applicant requests the construction of a new freestanding 11,100 square-foot building. Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D)(4), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The project proposes demolition of the existing asphalt parking area to construct a one-story 11,100 square-foot prefabricated steel building with associated landscaping and parking improvements.
• The proposal was deemed cleared from the Project Clearance Committee (PCC) on April 8, 2025, and is consistent with the Zoning Code.
• The project is consistent with the Santa Clara Community Design Guidelines:
o Building and Site Design
§ The proposed construction will consist of ash-gray colored metal wall panels and galvalume roof. The building will have minimal ornamentation through a contrasting dark gray trim in the roof and door frame and door. The architectural pages of the Development Plans (Attachment 4) show the materials and elevations.
§ Architectural features such as corrugated metal panels and the service bay openings break up the large expanse.
§ The front façade of the construction consists of 14 service bays that are setback 124 feet from the public right-of-way and screened with an eight-foot block wall and landscaping to minimize the visual intrusion onto adjoining properties.
§ The required parking is proposed behind the eight-foot block wall and automatic vehicle gates. The proposed block wall will be painted to match the ash-gray color of the proposed building.
§ Lighting is provided to enhance site layout and is consistent with SCCC Section 18.40.080 - Outdoor Lighting:
• The proposed outdoor light fixtures are six pole 16-foot pole light fixtures were 25-foot freestanding outdoor light fixtures are allowed. The pole light fixtures are energy-efficient with dimmable and directed downward.
• The project proposes one light fixture on the front façade. Two building light fixtures will be located on the side façade of the building.
o Open Space and Landscaping
§ The proposed project will install a separated sidewalk and landscape area on both sides of the sidewalk to provide trees and shrubs to minimize visual impact of the proposed building.
§ The driveways will abide by the City’s visibility triangle standards per City Standard Detail TR-9.
§ The proposed landscape and block wall with landscaping in the front as well as the parking lot complement the building, pedestrian, and driveway entrances.
§ The project abides by the current landscape standards under Santa Clara City Code 18.36. The area in-front of the proposed block wall, the front setback area, 26-foot landscape area in the rear, and parking lot planters are landscaped with trees, shrubs, and ground cover of various species. There are 24, 24-inch box trees that will be planted on site.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code 18.120.
• There are no active City code enforcement cases for this property.
• A neighborhood notice was distributed within a 300-foot radius of the subject site for this project review.
FINDINGS SUPPORTING STAFF’S RECOMMEDATION
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires the following findings consistent with City Code Section 18.120.020(F):
1) That any off-street parking area, screening strips, and other facilities and improvements necessary to secure the purpose and intent of this title and the general plan of the City area a part of the proposed development, in that:
• The project proposes 38 spaces where 35 spaces are required. The existing parking lot in the front provides 26 spaces, totaling in 64 spaces in total.
• The required parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscaped areas.
• The proposed project provides areas surfaced with all-weather materials for parking vehicles.
2) That the design and location of the proposed development and its relation to neighboring developments and traffic is such that it will not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood, will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring developments, and will not create traffic congestion or hazard, in that:
• The proposed construction would not create any traffic congestion or hazards.
• The public streets are of adequate size to accommodate the proposed development.
• The proposed design stays consistent with the scale of nearby buildings and would not impair the desirability of the neighborhood.
3) That the design and location of the proposed development is such that it is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and is such as not to be detrimental to the harmonious development contemplated by this title and the general plan of the City, in that:
• The proposed project is consistent with the City’s Community Design Guidelines:
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the proposed industrial architectural style of the building.
o Architectural features are used to reduce large expanse of blank walls which further harmonizes the development with the existing neighborhood.
o The project proposes landscaping throughout the site and in the front to minimize the visual impact of the proposed building.
• The proposed project is consistent with the City’s General Plan:
o 5-3.1-P10 - Provide opportunities for increase landscaping and trees in the community.
o 5-3.5-P11 - Construct sidewalks in industrial areas, with priority along streets served by existing or planned transit services.
o 5-3.5-P16 - Protect the industrial land use designations from incompatible uses in order to maintain the City’s strong fiscal health and quality services that are supported by new businesses and technologies and retention of well-established businesses.
4) That the granting of such approval will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, materially affect adversely the health, comfort or general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of said development, and will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injuries to property or improvements in said neighborhood, in that:
• The project is subject to the California Building code and City Code requirements, which serve to regulate new construction to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.
5) That the proposed development, as set forth in the plans and drawings, are consistent with the set of more detailed policies and criteria for architectural review as approved and updated from time to time by the City Council, which set shall be maintained in the planning division office. The policies and criteria so approved shall be fully effective and operative to the same extent as if written into and made a part of this title, in that:
• The proposed construction is consistent with the City’s Community Design Guidelines:
o The proposal enhances the neighborhood character, functional relationships, and property values of land and development.
• The proposed construction complies with the HI zoning districts developments standards in that it proposes landscaping, screening, and site design to minimize the visual impacts of the proposed service bay openings on the public right-of-way.
• The proposed construction complies with the intent of the Santa Clara General Plan and all relevant policies.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32 - Infill), in that the request is being built on project site less than five acres and within an urban area served by existing utilities.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Development Review Hearing agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
A public hearing notice was mailed to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site on June 26, 2025. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32 - Infill) and Approve the Architectural Review (PLN24-00489) to Construct a One-Story 11,100 Square-Foot Prefabricated Steel Building with Associated Site Improvements Located at 2290 De La Cruz Boulevard, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Meha Patel, Associate Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans